Improvement in hose-carriages



2 ShetS--Sheet 1.

ASAHEL A. JUSTIN.

Improvement in Hose Carriages.

[22.] 2 Sheets--Sheet 2. ASAHEL A. JUSTIN.

Improvement in Hose Carrages.

N0. 118,615. Patented Aug. 29, 1871.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ASAHEL A. JUSTIN, OF BUFFALO, NEI/V YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN HOSE-CARRIAGES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 118,615, dated August 29, 1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AsAHEL A. JUSTIN, of the city of Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented certain Improvements in Hose-Carriages, of which the following is a specication:

The object of my invention is the construction of a self-winding reel in a hose-carriage, so as to dispense with manual labor for winding the hose upon the reel. My invention consists: First, in connecting the reel of a hose-carriage with one of the rear wheels by an endless beltfor chain running over suitable pulleys, gear-wheels, or other equivalent device, so that rotary motion may be transmitted to the reel, when required, for the purpose of winding the hose upon the same. Second, in the combination and arrangement, with the reel and the reel-shaft driven from the rear wheel, of a clutch-coupling, as will be hereinafter fully described. Third, in the combination, with the self-winding reel and the rear axle, of a frame of peculiar shape, supported on the latter by two side springs and an equalizingspring, so as to prevent shocks and excessive strain on the driving mechanism of the reel.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure I is a side elevation, and Fig. II a plan view of a hose carriage provided with my improvements. Fig. III is a sectional elevation of the reel. Fig. IV is a plan view, and Fig. V a sectional elevation of the clutch-couplin g.

Like letters designate like parts in each of the gures.

A represents the front axle, and a the front wheels; B, the rear axle, and b the rear wheels C is the frame of the machine, formed in two symmetrical parts, connected together in the rear at c. It is curved upward between the front and rear axles, so as to allow the front wheels to turn freely under the same. rllhe frame C is supported on the front axle in the usual manner. On the rear axle B it is supported by two side springs, D, attached to the frame at d, and by an equalizing-spring, D secured to the frame at o, and connecting the rear ends of the side springs D. The oscillations of the body of the carriage are, by this arrangement of springs, equa-lined on both sides, and shocks and excessive strain on the driving mechanism of the self-winding reel are thereby prevented. E is a tube or hollow cyl- Inder, secured between two cast heads or disks,

F, by rings e or other suitable means.

It forms the reel proper, upon which the hose is wound. The heads F are provided with radial arms f, passing through iianges cast with said heads, and secured with their outer ends to a ring, j" so that the reel may be revolved by hand when desired. G is the shaft of the reel, arranged centrally in the tube E, and supported in suitable bearings g secured to the frame C. The heads F are formed with hubs or bearings h, Iitting snugly on the shaft G, so that the reel can freely revolve on the same. I is a chain-pulley, mounted upon one end of the shaft G, and I a similar pulley, secured to the inside ofthe respective rear wheel b, preferably to its hub. t' represents an endless chain running over the pulleys I and I', so as to transmit motion from the wheel b to the shaft G. Instead of the endless chain and pulleys any equivalent mechanical device Inay be employed for the purpose. Kis the spindle of the clutch-coupling, arranged centrally in the opposite end of the shaft G, which is provided with a corresponding bore. The spindle carries on its inner end a piece,'7c, which is arranged at right angles to the former and forms the clutch. The latter plays in a diametrical slot, 7a', formed in the shaft G, and is of such length that both of its ends project out of the shaft. L is a hub or ring fitting on the shaft G, and secured to the inside of the tube E near the inner end of the spindle K. It is provided with two notches, l, as clearly shown in Figs. IV and V, in which the projecting portions of the clutch i engage. M is the lever by which the clutchcoupling is operated. It is pivoted to the frame C at m, terminates in convenient reach of the driver, and is provided with a spring, m1, bearing against the frame G. rlhe outer end of the spindle K is connected with the lever M at m2, so as to follow its movements, and, at the same time, freely turn therein.

The operation of my improvements is as follows: The shaft G being revolved by means of the endless chain t' as the carriage moves along, the clutch k and spindle K take part in the rotary movement. Then the parts are in the position shown in the drawing the clutch-coupling is disengaged and the reel is free to turn on the shaft in either direction. By pressing the lever M to-l ward the frame C the clutch t' is made to engage with the notches in the ring L, and the movement of the shaft G transmitted to the reel. The lever M may be retained in this position by a latch, n, secured to the frame C. When the hose stretched Y out on the ground is required to be Wound upon the reel the carriage is placed so as to take the hose between the Wheels, and, by throwing the clutch-coupling into gear and drivingthe carriage in the direction of the hose, the reel is revolved so as to Wind the hose upon the same. When the clutch-coupling,` is disengaged the reel is free to revolve upon the shaft G, so that the hose can. be paid out in the same manner as in the hosecarriages now in use.

I claim as my invention- 1. rlhe combination, with the reel and rear Wheel of a hose-carriage, of the pulleys I I and Witnesses:

EDWARD WILHELM, JNO. J. BoNNER. 

